21 tonnes of aluminium scrap vanish: The fraud that fooled weighbridges and cost INR 4.6 million

What began as a routine scrap movement operation at construction sites in Maharashtra has turned into a tale involving hidden sand compartments, manipulated weight records and 21 tonnes of missing aluminium scrap.

Police in Thane have registered a case against three individuals, including the owner of a scrap firm, a supervisor and a vehicle driver, for allegedly orchestrating a scheme that diverted aluminium scrap worth INR 4.6 million (USD 54,000) from construction sites linked to a prominent real-estate developer.

According to investigators, the alleged fraud revolved around a specially modified vehicle. “The vehicle's gross weight was recorded on the weighbridge with sand in the hidden compartment. The sand was later discharged through a hole beneath the box at an unknown location” before aluminium scrap was loaded onto the vehicle.

The result, police claim, was a misleading weight record that allowed larger quantities of scrap to be transported without immediately raising suspicion.

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The material was reportedly collected from multiple locations, including Palava, Dombivli and Upper Thane, where construction activities generated heavy quantities of recyclable metal.

The alleged irregularities came to light following an internal review of scrap movements. Subsequent inquiries led to the filing of a complaint with the police, who have since launched an investigation into the matter.

A case has been registered under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to criminal breach of trust. Police officials said the investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the inquiry progresses.